Removable window sash

ABSTRACT

A SLIDABLE WINDOW SASH REMOVABLE FROM A WINDOW FRAME FOR PURPOSES OF CLEANING AND REPAIR. THE SASH IS MAINTAINED IN ALIGNMENT WITH, AND GUIDED IN THE FRAME, BY A PAIR OF REMOVABLE CAMMING GUIDES POSITIONED AT THE LOWER CORNERS OF THE SASH AND A PAIR OF SPRING-LOADED RESTRAINING GUIDES POSITIONED NEAR THE UPPER CORNERS OF THE SASH. REMOVAL OF THE WINDOW SASH IS ACCOMPLISHED BY MANIPULATING THE CAMMING GUIDE AND THE RESTRAINING GUIDE ON ONE SIDE OF THE WINDOW SASH. THE CAMMING GUIDES FURTHER SERVE THE FUNCTION OF HOLDING THE WINDOW SASH IN ANY DESIRED VERTICAL POSITION RELATIVE TO THE WINDOW FRAME.

Oct. 5, 1971 T. .J. METZGER REMOVABLE wnmow SASH 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 24. 1969 ATTORNEYS R r W W Oct. 5, 1971 'r, METZGER 3,609,15

REMOVABLE WINDOW SASH Filed Nov. 24, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet L United Statesatent One 3,609,915 REMOVABLE WINDOW SASH Thomas J. Metzger, 1720 2nd St. SE., Moultrie, Ga. 31768 Filed Nov. 24, 1969, Ser. No. 879,184 Int. Cl. Ed 13/08 US. Cl. 49-451 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A slidable window sash removable from a Window frame for purposes of cleaning and repair. The sash is maintained in alignment with, and guided in the frame, by a pair of removable camming guides positioned at the lower corners of the sash and a pair of spring-loaded restraining guides positioned near the upper corners of the sash. Removal of the window sash is accomplished by manipulating the camming guide and the restraining guide on one side of the window sash. The camming guides further serve the function of holding the window sash in any desired vertical position relative to the window frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A large number of slidable and removable window sashes are known in the art, and many of these sashes have the capability of maintaining any vertical position in the window frame. However, these known devices tend to be extremely complex in construction, expensive to manufacture, have poor wear characteristics, and are often difficult to manipulate. Further, most of the known prior art slidable window sashes are designed so that they fit in but a single style of window frame.

In US. patent application Ser. No. 766,737, filed Oct. 11, 1968, entitled Window Control, and invented by the present inventor, there is disclosed a slidable and removable window sash which overcomes many of the problems noted above. However, even the device disclosed in this patent application is somewhat complex, and, therefore, leaves some room for improvement.

It is toward the elimination of the above-noted drawbacks found in the prior art that the present invention is directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a window sash which is slidable in and removable from a fixed window frame. In each of the lower corners of the inventive window sash is removably mounted a camming guide serving the simultaneous functions of maintaining the alignment of the sash in the frame, guiding the sash in the frame during vertical movement, and holding the sash at any desired vertical position in the frame. The upper regions of the window sash are maintained in alignment with and are guided in the window frame by a pair of springloaded restraining guides. The camming guides and the restraining guides are manipulated for removal of the sash from the frame.

The window sash constructed in accordance with the present invention is incomplex in design and is still rugged and relatively wear resistant. Further, the removal of the window sash, requiring little more than the displacement of one of the camming guides and the depression of one of the restraining guides, is extremely simple.

Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide a window sash which is simple in design and economical in cost, and which may readily be removed from its associated window frame.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a window sash which may be readily adapted for use with window frames having varying channel shapes.

Patented Oct. 5, 1971 It is a further object of the invention to provide a slidable window sash which may be maintained in any desired vertical position in a window frame and which has extremely favorable wear characteristics.

These and other objects of the invention, as well as many of the attendant advantages thereof, will become more readily apparent when reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an interior elevational view, partially in section, of the window sash forming a part of the present invention as mounted in a window frame;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a removable camming guide forming a part of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an alternate embodiment of the removable camming guide of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a spring-loaded restraining guide forming a part of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but showing a crosssection of the alternate embodiment of the removable camming guide illustrated in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With particular reference first to FIG. 1, a window frame 10 is shown rigidly mounted on a wall 11. The window sash of the present invention is shown generally at 12, and comprises, basically, a pair of side rails 14 and 16, respectively, a top rail 18 and a bottom rail 20. A pane of glass 22 is mounted in the sash 12. The frame 10 comprises a pair of jambs 24 and 26, respectively, a sill 28 and a top cross-piece (not shown).

The side rail 14 is adapted to slide in the jamb 24; and the side rail 16 is adapted to slide in the jamb 26. To maintain the alignment between the sash 12 and the frame 10, and to ensure that the sash slides freely in the frame, the sash is provided with four guiding devices. Naturally, more guiding devices may be employed.

At the lower corners of the sash, a pair of removable camming guides 30 are shown. Each guide 30 includes a camming surface 32 which is spring-biased against the inner wall of one of the jambs 24 or 26, and thus serves to frictionally maintain the vertical position of the sash.

Near the upper region of the sash 12, there is provided a pair of spring-loaded restraining guides 34. The guides 34 are adapted so that when they are in their outwardmost position, bearing surfaces 36 are defined, the surfaces 36 bearing against the interior vertical surfaces of the associated jambs (see FIG. 5.). Thus, the guides 34 ensure proper alignment between the upper regions of the sash and the window frame.

To avoid sticking between the sash and the frame, the sash is provided with a plurality of anti-friction buttons 38 which may be, for example, of nylon. Four buttons 38 are shown on the interior of the sash, but other configurations could be employed.

The camming guides 30 are removably mounted in the lower corners of the sash 12. The left-side guide 30 is restrained against upwardly-directed vertical movement with respect to the side rail 14 in the sash 12 by means of a flange 40. Downwardly-directed vertical movement is prevented by a slidable locking plate 42 mounted in the lower rail 20 of the sash 12.

From the above description, the simplicity of the inventive window sash should be appreciated; and, as a result of this simplicity, the removal and insertion of the sash with respect ot the window frame is readily accomplished. The sash 12 is moved upwardly an amount sufficient to gain access to the slidable locking plate 42. Then, one of the plates 42, the left-side plate, for example, is moved out of engagement with the camming guide and the sash is further moved upwardly an amount necessary to free the sash from the effects of the camming guide. When the left side locking plate 42 is out of engagement with its associated camming guide 30 and the sash is moved upwardly, the guide 30 remains frictionally locked in the jamb 24 and therefore slides out of its housing in the side rail 14. The spring-loaded restraining guide 34 on side rail 14 is then depressed, inactivating the upper guiding member, and the sash is slid horizontally toward the vertical frame member 24. The side of the sash opposite the jamb 24 is, at this time, free to be removed from the jamb 26 of the frame 10. The sash may then be taken from the jamb 24. The replacement of the sash is accomplishd by merely reversing the steps enumerated a'bove.

With reference now to FIGSv 2 and 6, the construction of one embodiment of the removable camming guide 30 is described. Each guide 30 comprises a U-shaped housing 46 having a pair of legs 48 and 50 formed, respectively, with lateral flanges 52 and 54. A channel 56 extends through each guide. Each of a pair of guide plates 58 and 60, made of a resilient plastic such as nylon, is provided with two slots 62 and 64, congruent, respectively, to the changes 52 and 54. The plates 58 and are slid over the ends of the flanges 52 and 54 and are secured to the housing by slightly deforming the flanges to form shallow dimples. Alternatively, the plates may be bonded to the flanges by use of an adhesive.

A breaking cam 66 is pivotally mounted between the legs 48 and 50 of the housing 46 and is maintained in position by a pin 68 passing through aligned openings 70, 72 and 74 in the housing 46 and the cam 66. The nose portion '76 of the cam is formed congruent to the shape of the frame channel in which it is adapted to frictionally ride.

A spring 78 is fited into the channel 56 and is held in position by an adjusting screw 80, threadably engaged in the upper part of the housing 46. The spring 78 bears against the cam 66 at 82, and the force exerted by the spring on the cam is adjusted by the screw 80. This adjustment determines, in part, the frictional forces acting between the sash and the frame.

As seen in FIG. 7, the cam 66 is dimensioned so that it is restrained by the housing 46 against rotation beyond a certain point. In this manner, it is ensured that the cam remains in an operative position when the sash is mounted in the window frame.

With continuing reference to FIG. 2, the locking plate 42 is shown to be in the shape of an I-beam having therein a pair of openings 84 and 86. The openings 84 and 86 are designed to interact with a downwardly projecting extension 88 in a keeper spring 90. The spring 90 has an upwardly-extending base member 92 provided with a bore 94 which is centrally located therein. As seen best in FIG. 7, the keeper spring 90 is mounted on the housing 46 by means of a rivet 96.

When the locking plate 42 is in the position shown in FIG. 7, the camming guide 30 is locked in the sash 12, the extension 88 in the keeper spring 90 engaging with opening 86. However, when the plate 42 is moved toward the right, the projection 38 on the keeper spring 90 engages the opening 84 in the locking plate, and the camming guide 30 may freely slide out of its housing in the sash.

In FIG. 3, there is illustrated an alternate embodiment of the removable camming guide. This alternate is suited for use with window sashes of considerable size and weight and is equipped with a pair of cams for increasing the frictional forces generated The alternate camming guide is shown generally at and inciudes a pair of cams 102 and 104, respectively. The cams are pivotally mounted in a U-shaped housing 106 by means of a pair of pins 108 and 110, respectively.

A pair of resilient guide plates 112 and 114, similar to the guide plates 58 and 60 illustrated in FIG. 2, are mounted on the housing 106. As was the case in FIG. 2, the guide plates serve to maintain alignment between the sash and the frame, and to provide bearing surfaces to ensure smooth sliding therebetween.

An upper spring 116 fits within a channel 113 in the housing 166 and is secured therein by means of an ad justing screw 120. The lower region of the spring 116 bears against the upper surface of cam 102. Between the upper earn 102 and the lower cam 104, there is provided a second biasing spring 122. This spring bears against the lower surface of the upper cam and the upper surface of the lower cam. By adjusting the screw 120, frictional resistance exerted by the cams 102 and 164 on the frame is changed. And, because two camming surfaces are provided in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the maximum frictional forces are greater than those attainable with the embodiment of FIG. 2. Therefore, the camming guide of FIG. 3 can lock large and heavy window sashes.

With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the novel springloaded restraining guide is described. The guide is shown generally at 34, has a bearing surface 36 adapted to slide along the jamb 24 of the associated window frame, and is adapted to fit into an opening in the side rail 14. The front surface of the guide 34 is inclined at 152 in order that, when the guide is depressed, the sash may slide freely into the U-shaped depression defined in the jamb 24.

On the rear of the guide 34 is a button-like projection 154 having a tapered region 156, an enlarged region 158 and an indented region 160. A biasing spring 162 is adapted to fit within the body of the side rail 14 and to urge the guide 34 outwardly. The spring 162 fits over the tapered region 156 of the button-like projection 154 and abuts the enlarged region 158 thereof. A C-ring 163 locks in place at the indented region 166 of the guide 34 and holds the guide in the channel defined in the side rail 14, against the force of the spring 162.

As seen clearly in FIG. 5, the bearing surface 36 of the spring-loaded restraining guide 34 abuts a vertical wall of the jamb 24. This action, in combination with the action of the camming guide associated with the jamb 24 and the actions of the restraining guide and the camming guide associated with the opposite jamb, maintains the sash in alignment with the window frame. And, because the cams, spring-loaded restraining guides and the anti-friction buttons are of a low-friction material, the sash freely slides in the jambs of the window frame. Thus, when the guides are in their operational positions, the sash may freely slide in the vertical channels of the window frame and yet has the capability of maintaining any desired vertical position in the frame. When, on the other hand, one set of restraining and camming guides are in their removal positions, the sash may readily be taken from the window frame.

In normal operation, each of the two spring-loaded restraining guides 34 is in its outwardmost position and is maintained in that position by means of the biasing springs 162. The removable camming guides 30 are normally held in position by the slidable locking plate 42.

When, however, it is desired to remove the sash 12 from the frame 10, the novel sash is operated as follows: The sash is raised from the sill 28 an amount necessary for the fingers of the operator to engage the projection 88 on the keeper spring 90. The projection 88 is forced upwardly by the operator, out of the slot 86 in the slidable locking plate 42, and the plate 42 is moved out of engagement with the camming guide 39. The slidable locking plate is moved until the projection 88 err gages the slot 84. Then, the camming guide 300 is free to slide relative to its housing in the side rail of the window sash. The sash is moved upwardly until the bottom rail 20 thereof is free from the effects of the camming guide 30. Then, the spring-loaded restraining guide 34 on the side rail, whose retractable camming guide has been removed, is depressed. When the restraining guide is depressed, the entire sash is free to move deeply into the channel of the jamb adjacent the side rail having the depressed restraining guide and the absent camming guide. When the sash is moved deeply into this channel, the opposite side of the sash becomes disengaged from its associated jamb and, thus, the window sash is free to be removed from the window frame. When replacing the window sash, the steps outlined above are again practiced, but in their reverse order.

There have been described two preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that these embodiments have been described for purposes of illustration only and that many alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. It is the intent, therefore, that the present invention not be limited to the above but be limited only as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A window sash adapted to slide in a window frame having spaced parallel channels, the sash comprising: a pair of side rails and top and bottom members joining together the side rails; camming guide means removably secured in each lower corner of the sash in guiding engagement with said channels; two spring biased braking cams movably connected to each said camming guide means for frictionally engaging the channels in said frame and thus for maintaining the sash in any desired position in the frame; said camming guide means being secured at the corners of said sash by means of a locking plate slidably mounted in the sash and shiftable to a first position beneath the camming guide to lock the guide in the sash and to a second position removed from the camming guide to permit the guide to be withdrawn from the sash; and further comprising two spring-loaded restraining guides provided near the upper regions of said sash removed from said camming guides, each restraining guide having a bearing surface adapted to slide along its associated parallel channel of said frame and thus serving to ensure alignment between the sash and the frame, each restraining guide having a first position serving to maintain alignment between the sash and the frame and a second position allowing the sash to move deeply into the channel of its associated frame member.

2. The window sash as defined in claim 1, wherein the spring-loaded restraining guides are mounted in openings provided in the sash and are biased outwardly by means of springs.

3. The window sash as defined in claim 2, wherein the restraining guides are tapered to allow the sash to easily be moved deeply into the channel of its associated frame member when the guide is in its second position.

4. The window sash of claim 3, wherein the second position of each restraining guide is defined when the guide is depressed into its associated sash member against the force of said spring.

5. The window sash of claim 1, wherein means are provided for regulating the frictional forces exerted by each pair of braking cams in each camming guide.

6. The window sash of claim 5, wherein each camming guide is provided with two biasing springs, the first spring sandwiched between and bearing against an adjusting screw and one of the braking cams, and the second spring sandwiched between and bearing against the two braking cams.

7. A window sash adapted to slide in a window frame having spaced parallel channels, the sash comprising: a pair of side rails and top and bottom members joining together the side rails; camming guide means removably secured in two of the corners of the sash in guiding engagement with said channels, each camming guide having two spring biased braking cams movably connected to each said camming guide means and adapted to frictionally engage their associated channel in the window frame for maintaining the sash in any desired position in the frame; said camming guide means being secured at the corners of said sash by means of a locking plate slidably mounted in the sash and shiftable to a first position beneath the camming guide to lock the guide in the sash and to a second position removed from the camming guide to permit the guide to be withdrawn from the sash; and further comprising spring-loaded restraining guides at the regions of said sash removed from said camming guides, each restraining guide having a bearing surface adapted to slide along its associated parallel channel of said frame and thus serving to ensure alignment between the sash and the frame, each restraining guide having a first position serving to maintain alignment between the sash and the frame and a second position allowing the sash to move deeply into the channel of its associated frame member.

8. The window sash of claim 7, wherein means are provided for regulating the frictional force exerted by each braking cam.

9. The window sash of claim 7, wherein each camming guide is provided with two biasing springs, the first spring sandwiched between and bearing against an adjusting screw and one of the braking cams, and the second spring sandwiched between and bearing against the two braking cams.

10. The window sash of claim 7, wherein each braking cam is pivotally mounted.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,086,259 4/1963 Klein 49-429 X 3,466,806 9/1969 Teggelaar et al. 49-451 X 3,501,867 3/1970 Scott 49-421 KENNETH DOWNEY, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 49-418 

